Hipparchia's Life

I. Hipparchia, the sister of Metrocles, was charmed among others, by the doctrines of this school.

I. Hipparchia, the sister of Metrocles, was among those drawn to the teachings of this school.

II. Both she and Metrocles were natives of Maronea. She fell in love with both the doctrines and manners of Crates, and could not be diverted from her regard for him, by either the wealth, or high birth, or personal beauty, of any of her suitors, but Crates was everything to her; and she threatened her parents to make away with herself, if she were not given in marriage to him. Crates accordingly, being entreated by her parents to dissuade her from this resolution, did all he could; and at last, as he could not persuade her, he rose up, and placing all his furniture before her, he said, “This is the bridegroom whom you are choosing, and this is the whole of his property; consider these facts, for it will not be possible for you to become his partner, if you do not also apply yourself to the same studies, and conform to the same habits that he does.” But the girl chose him; and assuming the same dress that he wore, went about with him as her husband, and appeared with him in public everywhere, and went to all entertainments in his company.

II. Both she and Metrocles were from Maronea. She fell in love with Crates’s teachings and way of life. None of her suitors could draw her away from him, despite their wealth, noble birth, or good looks. Crates was everything to her. She threatened to kill herself if her parents did not let her marry him. Her parents begged Crates to persuade her to give up this decision, and he did all he could. Finally, when he could not persuade her, he stood up and placed all his belongings before her. He said, “This is the bridegroom you are choosing, and this is everything he owns. Consider these facts. You cannot become his partner unless you also devote yourself to the same studies and follow the same habits.” But the girl chose him. She dressed as he did and went about with him as her husband. She appeared with him everywhere in public and accompanied him to all social gatherings.

III. And once when she went to sup with Lysimachus, she attacked Theodorus, who was surnamed the Atheist; proposing to him the following sophism; “What Theodorus could not be called wrong for doing, that same thing Hipparchia ought not to be called wrong for doing. But Theodorus does no wrong when he beats himself; therefore Hipparchia does no wrong when she beats Theodorus.” He made no reply to what she said, but only pulled her clothes about; but Hipparchia was neither offended nor ashamed, as many a woman would have been; but when he said to her:—

III. Once, when Hipparchia went to dine with Lysimachus, she challenged Theodorus, who was known as the Atheist. She presented him with this clever argument: “Whatever Theodorus cannot be blamed for doing, Hipparchia should not be blamed for doing either. But Theodorus does nothing wrong when he beats himself. Therefore, Hipparchia does nothing wrong when she beats Theodorus.” He did not answer her argument. Instead, he pulled at her clothes. But Hipparchia was neither offended nor ashamed, as many women would have been. But when he said to her:

“I, Theodorus, am that person,” she replied; “but do I appear to you to have come to a wrong decision, if I devote that time to philosophy, which I otherwise should have spent at the loom?” And these and many other sayings are reported of this female philosopher.

“I am that person, Theodorus,” she replied. “But do you think I made the wrong decision? I chose to spend on philosophy the time I would otherwise have spent at the loom.” These and many other sayings are attributed to this woman philosopher.

IV. There is also a volume of letters of Crates⁷⁹ extant, in which he philosophizes most excellently; and in style is very little inferior to Plato. He also wrote some tragedies, which are imbued with a very sublime spirit of philosophy, of which the following lines are a specimen:—

IV. A volume of letters by Crates⁷⁹ also survives. In them, he writes excellently about philosophy, and his style is only slightly inferior to Plato's. He also wrote some tragedies filled with a lofty philosophical spirit. The following lines are an example:

And he died at a great age, and was buried in Bœotia.

He died at an old age and was buried in Bœotia.